AI Incidents
Real-world cases where AI systems caused harm, classified by risk domain and entity. Data sourced from 
AIID and classified by 
MIT AI Risk Initiative. CC BY-SA 4.0
368 incidents
Voices Created Using Publicly Available App Stolen and Resold as NFT without Attribution
An AI-synthetic audio sold as an NFT on Voiceverse’s platform was acknowledged by the company for having been created by 15.ai, a free web app specializing in text-to-speech and AI-voice generation, and reused without proper attribution.
Arizona Residents Reportedly a Frequent Target of AI-Driven Romance Scams
Arizona residents, especially senior citizens, are reportedly often the target of AI-driven romance scams. Between 2022 and 2023, reported losses from online romance scams in Arizona totaled over $47 million, ranking the state fifth highest in the nation behind California, Florida, Texas, and New York, according to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data. In 2023, it has been reported that Arizonans lost $325 million owing to these scams.
Web Accessibility Vendors Allegedly Falsely Claimed to Provide Compliance Using AI
AI-powered web accessibility vendors allegedly overstated to customers about their products' utility for people with disabilities, falsely claiming to deliver automated compliance solutions.
Social Media Algorithms Amplified Disinformation Campaign in Honduras Election
In October 2021, a coordinated network of over 317 fake Twitter accounts leveraged AI-driven algorithms to amplify disinformation about the Honduran presidential election, targeting opposition candidate Xiomara Castro. The campaign spread false narratives to suppress voter turnout and undermine the election's integrity. Social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, removed the accounts only after being alerted, which also raised concerns about inadequate moderation.
Henan Authorities Reportedly Commissioned Facial Recognition System to Track Journalists and International Students
Henan Public Security Department procurement documents reportedly described a surveillance system awarded to Neusoft on September 17, 2021. The planned system would allegedly use about 3,000 facial-recognition cameras linked to regional and national databases to create files and alerts on foreign journalists, international students, and other targeted groups. It could not be confirmed whether the system became operational.
North Carolina Psychiatrist Used Artificial Intelligence to Produce Images of Child Sex Abuse
David Tatum, a psychiatrist, was sentenced to 40 years for sexually exploiting a minor and using AI to create child pornography images. Tatum used a web-based AI application to alter clothed images of minors into explicit content, misusing technology for illegal and unethical purposes. Evidence presented during his trial showed Tatum possessed photos and videos between 2016 and 2021.
Ongoing Purported AI-Assisted Identity Fraud Enables Unauthorized Access to Western Companies by North Korean IT Workers
North Korean operatives have reportedly used AI-generated identities to secure remote jobs or impersonate employers in order to infiltrate companies. These tactics allegedly support sanctions evasion through wage theft, credential exfiltration, and malware deployment. Workers reportedly use fake resumes, VPNs, and face-altering tools; some deploy malware like OtterCookie after embedding, while others lure targets via spoofed job interviews. AI systems are reportedly used to generate fake resumes, alter profile photos, and assist in real-time responses during video interviews.
Japanese Porn Depixelated by Man using Deepfake
A man allegedly unblurred, using deepfake technology, pixelated pornographic images and videos of pornographic actors, which violated Japan’s obscenity law requiring images of genitalia to be obscured.
Deepfake Images of Australian Teacher Hannah Grundy and 25 Others Created and Circulated Online by Former Friend
Australian teacher Hannah Grundy discovered her face had been superimposed onto pornographic images using AI deepfake technology, which were shared online alongside personal details. A former trusted friend, Andrew Thomas Hayler, was found responsible, targeting 26 women, including Grundy and close friends, over two years. Hayler pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
WeChat Pay's Facial Recognition Security Evaded by Scammers Using Victims’ Social Media Content
In China, fraudsters bypassed facial-recognition security for online financial transactions on WeChat Pay by crafting identity-verification GIFs of victims from their selfies on WeChat Moments, a social media platform.
Fake Accounts Using GAN Faces Deployed by Propaganda Campaign on Social Platforms
A pro-China propaganda campaign deployed fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube using GAN-synthesized faces to share and post comments on its content to gain wider circulation.
Indian Political App Tek Fog Allegedly Hijacked Trends and Manipulated Public Opinion on Other Social Media Platforms
The Indian political social media app Tek Fog allegedly allowed operatives affiliated with the ruling political party to hijack social media trends and manipulate public opinion on other apps such as Twitter and WhatsApp, which opposition parties denounced as a national security threat.
Climate Action Group Posted Deepfake of Belgian Prime Minister Urging Climate Crisis Action
A deepfake video showing the Belgium’s prime minister speaking of an urgent need to tackle the climate crises was released by a climate action group.
BJP Used Deepfake Videos of Manoj Tiwari to Target Haryanvi Voters in 2020 Delhi Election
In February 2020, India's BJP used purported deepfake videos of party leader Manoj Tiwari to influence voters in the Delhi legislative election. The videos reportedly showed Tiwari delivering scripted campaign messages in Haryanvi and English, which are languages he did not speak, by altering his lip movements and voice. Distributed via thousands of WhatsApp groups, the deepfakes reportedly reached millions of voters without disclosure.
Reported AI-Cloned Voice Used to Deceive Hong Kong Bank Manager in Purported $35 Million Fraud Scheme
In January 2020, a Hong Kong-based bank manager for a Japanese company reportedly authorized $35 million in transfers after receiving a call from someone whose voice matched the company director's. According to Emirati investigators, scammers used AI-based voice cloning to impersonate the executive. The fraud allegedly involved at least 17 individuals and reportedly led to global fund transfers that triggered a UAE investigation. U.S. authorities were reportedly later asked to help trace part of the funds sent to U.S. banks.